TITLE:
A Critical Review of Income-Generating Activities and Livelihood Programs: Empowering Women for Gender Equality and Sustainable Development
AUTHORS:
Emmanuel Makiwi Jagri, Juliana Asantewa, Cynthia Sena Abena Sappor
KEYWORDS:
Women’s Economic Empowerment, Income-Generating Activities (IGAs), Livelihood Programs, Feminist Economics, Gender Equality, Sustainable Development
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.13 No.6,
June
11,
2025
ABSTRACT: This paper examines the role of income-generating activities (IGAs) and livelihood programs in promoting the economic empowerment of women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Drawing on feminist economics, human capital theory, and social capital theory, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of how these initiatives contribute to women’s financial independence, decision-making power, and social status. Feminist economics emphasizes the need for structural changes to address gender inequalities, while human capital theory highlights the importance of education and skill development. Social capital theory underscores the significance of networks and relationships in facilitating women’s access to economic opportunities. This paper is based on a literature review of journal articles which focuses on empirical and theoretical works addressing women’s economic empowerment through IGAs and livelihood programs. The literature was analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify key themes, recurring challenges, and best practices across different settings. The findings reveal that IGAs and livelihood programs significantly enhance women’s financial autonomy, improve their ability to influence household and community decisions, and elevate their social standing. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives is often constrained by barriers such as limited access to credit, market constraints, and socio-cultural norms. The paper argues for the implementation of gender-sensitive policies, continuous support systems, and context-specific approaches to overcome these challenges. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on gender equality by offering insights into the complexities of women’s economic empowerment. It calls for an integrated approach that combines theoretical perspectives with practical interventions to create an enabling environment where women can fully realize their economic potential. The paper concludes that while IGAs and livelihood programs are pivotal in advancing women’s empowerment, sustained efforts are required to address the multifaceted challenges they face.